A good family hotel should offer that perfect blend of relaxation opportunities and adventure activities. We review the best luxury family resorts in Italy. We focus on beachside hotels as well as those in cities like Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome. By reviewing each of these luxury family hotels, in turn, I conclude which hotel comes in at the top and which hotel I would select as being the best family hotel in Italy.
In this article, we pick 10 of the best family resorts in Italy. If you’re booking any of the hotels below or any other luxury hotel, get in touch with our luxury travel concierge to find out how we can upgrade your stay and make your trip unforgettable.
1. Vivosa Apulia Resort
Our number one choice is the Vivosa Apulia Resort, an elegant 4-star eco-resort hotel overlooking the beautiful Ionian sea in Marina di Ugento. Vivosa eco-resort is perfect for the family.
Built in the typical local stone, Vivosa is located in the natural park, Parco Naturale Litorale di Ugento (Salento, Apulia), in a wonderful pine forest just a few steps from the crystal-clear Ionian sea and its own private beach of fine white sand.
This eco-hotel has 10 buildings surrounded by pine trees, which host 333 bedrooms. The rooms, furnished in Mediterranean style, are located in ten magnificent courtyards surrounded by flowers. All rooms showcase local styling and feature a balcony or terrace; superior and family rooms are slightly larger.
Vivosa Apulia Resort boasts a gorgeous central pool comprised of four basins on different levels and offers a great place to relax and sunbathe. There is also a great children’s pool, integrated whirlpool zones, hydro massage beds, waterfalls, and watercourses, as well as a sauna, steam bath, and outdoor pool in the spa zone. The two children’s pools include one for babies 0-3 years old (40 cm deep and partially shaded) and the other with splash-proof slides.
A gently sloping white sand private beach with crystal clear waters is reached by a pretty path and offers a free beach service that includes sunbeds and umbrellas. The private beach is suitable for all ages: the sea is shallow and slopes very gently.
There are also countless unique activities of the Vivosa Ecokids that will make the vacation of the little ones unforgettable. There’s the family-friendly Vivosa Kids, a daily program in the mini club for children from 3 to 12 years, a junior club from 13 to 15 years, a scout camp, and a playground in the shade of the pine forest with fun outdoor games, table tennis, and table football. Babies can enjoy dance, and there are shows dedicated to children. In the evenings, there is a program of entertainment too and Wi-Fi is available in common areas, in guest rooms, and on the beach.
At Vivosa, you can spend time in harmony with the whole family, and while the little ones are engaged in creative workshops or sports tournaments, parents can relax in the Vivosa Spa, take pilates or yoga lessons with the Vivosa Fitness Crew, or simply relax reading a book in the shade of the olive trees.
Other facilities and services on offer include 2 tennis courts, aqua-gym, beach volleyball, and eco golf lessons, as well as sailing, sea kayaking, and windsurfing down at the beach.
The all-inclusive basis at this hotel includes buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as barbecues and themed evening buffets in the main Via Appia Restaurant. You will also be able to relax at the Scirocco beach bar and Dolce Vita pool bar, which is included as part of your stay.
2. Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice is the very best luxury hotel in Venice if you have kids. The pool is incredible and if you book a Junior Suite Pool room, the pool is just steps from your bed. The setting is magical, and the staff will love and have fun with your children too.
We took our boy here when he was 4, and I will never forget how the staff scooped him up in their arms, popped him on their shoulders, and made him laugh and laugh, and that was just while we were waiting for our water taxi.
I have a picture on my wall of my son and his dad, sitting by the pool with legs dangling in as the sunset. So idyllic. It remains one of my all-time favorite photos of the two of them. So if your budget will stretch to a night or two here with your family, you won’t regret it!
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice is nestled on the tip of Giudecca Island, just 40 minutes by water taxi from Venice airport and a short boat ride across the water from St Mark’s Square.
A highlight of the hotel is, of course, the pool, particularly if you are traveling with your family. It is huge, surrounded by gardens and a bar & a restaurant that’s open during the day and again later in the evening.
The pool area itself is under the command of a lovely lady who will do her best to find you an ideal spot to while away your day poolside. Loungers are arranged by deck boys who will set up your sunbed with just the right amount of shade and provide as many Evian spritzers as you can use.
The gardens at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani are also beautiful. You can stroll underneath archways of roses and sweet-smelling white flowers, find a place on the lawns to laze, or stroll through the kitchen garden.
Tennis players can play a game or two on the secluded clay court, whereas parents can shuffle children off to the kids club and enjoy the Spa and Wellness center. There’s wildlife too, the garden being home to a beautiful rabbit who helps the robot lawnmower keep the grass tended and a chicken and some friendly ducks too. It was fun at dusk to sit and watch them all go about their business.
We chose the Junior Suite Pool room (around €2,500 EUR per night in season), which was ideal for our little boy as it opened up to a patio that backed straight onto our reserved loungers at the pool. Meaning we could go for a dip without the indecency of having to trawl along corridors and down lifts in dressing gowns.
Of course, there is a wonderful bar and restaurant where kids are welcomed and where the whole family can watch the constant flow of boats chugging up and down the waterway. In fact, the only bad thing I can say about this wonderful, family-friendly resort is that you will be heartbroken when you have to leave.
3. Four Seasons Florence
Four Seasons Florence is definitely one of the best family resorts in Italy, a short walk from the center of Florence, and yet offering a glorious pool and gardens.
Four Seasons hotels always excel when catering for families. Kids are welcomed and treated as well as adults. If you have a family and have not tried a Four Seasons branded hotel, you really are missing out.
The Four Seasons Florence spreads out between the main building – 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca – and La Villa, a sixteenth-century former convent on the other side of the eleven-acre park, the largest private garden in Florence, which houses a gorgeous pool.
The 116 rooms are individually decorated with oodles of silk, velvet, marble, and lots of antique furniture. The opulent main restaurant, Il Palagio, is real and Tuscan. The poolside trattoria/pizzeria Al Fresco, open when weather permits, offers simpler trattoria dishes, pizza, and grilled meat or fish, ideal for the whole family.
The glass-roofed Atrium bar, ably presided over by bar manager Massimiliano Prili and barista Luca Angeli is a Florentine smart-set venue for tea, aperitifs, cocktails, and of course, fine local Tuscan wines!
Every day, indoors and out, there is always something for junior travelers to do. The Concierge will come up with brilliant suggestions for family activities and ideas for interesting places to visit in Florence.
Some brilliant family options include:
- Make Your Own Pizza
- The Art of Pasta Making
- Chocolate and It’s Magic
- Let’s Have Fun with Ice Cream
- A Morning in the Market of Florence
You can play tennis at a nearby club or horse ride at La Baita equestrian center, which is geared to all levels, from novice to experienced, and is ideal for both adults and children.
Take a very original tour for the whole family with the “Reinaioli” boat, which travels along the Arno River before and during sunset. In this boat, guests can admire the artistic and natural beauty of the city from the river. Used to organize the tours on the river Arno, the boats (barchetti) have long been used in Florentine history.
Other possibilities include family-oriented visits to the Uffizi Gallery or Pitti Palace, with activities and entertainment specially organized for children, and excursions to Pinocchio Park, an open-air museum where everyone can experience the puppet’s adventures with toys and fantasy playhouses.
4. CampZero
CampZero is a new luxury resort for sport and ski enthusiasts. Ideal for families who love the great outdoors, this five-star Italian resort, CampZero, is designed especially for immersing yourself in a huge variety of active pursuits.
The resort is located in Champoluc, Val d’Ayas, Aosta Valley, Italy. Champoluc is a beautiful character-packed village set in an attractive, wooded valley surrounded by soaring peaks. It has managed to retain some of its original charms rather than being swept into being another faceless ski resort. There is 180km of piste, and it’s attached to the Monterosa, which is spread across three valleys.
The stand-out facilities, which are ideal for the modern family, include a stunning 25m indoor pool with epic views, sauna pods on the grounds, and a fabulous spa.
If your family likes action and you have teens who are adrenaline junkies or children who are nature lovers, you will be seduced by the promise of mountain climbing, rock climbing, canyoning, mountain biking, trekking, skiing, heliskiing, ice climbing, and snowshoeing – phew!
At the resort itself, you can also climb; on either the impressive indoor concrete rock climbing wall, which has 40 climbing routes, or on the ice climbing wall outside. Plus, there’s a 9-hole pitch and put golf course close by.
And when you need to recharge after all this, don’t forget that spa. Rejuvenate mind and body with a revitalizing wellness program; enjoy a massage or a beauty treatment and chill in the pool, sauna, and steam bath and relax those muscles.
There’s also the communal main hall area which is a mecca for relaxation; the whole family can converge here after a day of action to listen to music, share videos and photos on the big screens, read books from the library, watch the rock climbers or simply sip a glass of something chilled and wind down in style.
There are 30 Duplex Suites, affectionately known as ‘pods’, all kitted out with every amenity that you would expect with luxury travel with an emphasis on tech. They offer glorious mountain views through their floor-to-ceiling picture windows. The Suites also open out on a small terrace and garden area, so you can relax in privacy while enjoying the views. While 10 of the suites are ideal for 2 guests, the rest are ideal for families. 10 would suit 3 people with the use of a sofa bed and 10 are ideal for 4 guests.
The dining is every bit as eclectic as the rest of the resort. CampZero Restaurant serves traditional recipes reimagined with a funky twist. For a more casual meal, check out the trendy Bistrot, where you can sample their a la carte menu both inside and on the outside patio; don’t miss their delectable BBQs. Or, for a real post-adventure hub, the Boulder Lounge Bar is THE place to be seen; the food is yummy, and the cocktails even more so!
5. Resort Capo Boi
Sardinia is home to epic beaches with white sands and turquoise, crystal clear waters, and a wonderfully rugged coastline that invites the adventurer in you. It’s the ideal place to take the family.
Resort Capo Boi is located on the south coast of the Italian island of Sardinia in Villasimius. The picture-perfect location consists of a lush green park and one of those private white sandy beaches surrounded by hills in the middle of a conservation area.
Cagliari International Airport is a scenic 40-minute drive away, and you are just 6km from Museo Archeologico di Villasimius and 7km from Tanka Golf Club.
The beautiful 5-star beachfront Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi is the first premium family resort in Sardinia. The resort is stunningly designed with a relaxed Mediterranean feel; beautiful white villas spread throughout the grounds and gardens decorated with a chic, soft color palette. The mood is instantly calming, exactly what you need for a relaxed family holiday. Plus, heavenly views of Capo Carbonara Bay seem to follow you as you wander the resort.
As well as enjoying everything the beach has to offer (in comfort, of course, there are parasols, loungers, and a beach bar), the gorgeous infinity pool is the place to relax and gaze at the breathtaking sea views.
There’s also a separate family activity pool to entertain the young ones. They are great at catering for all the family here and put on a whole host of entertainment activities; as well as the excellent kids club, Falky Land, there are Falkensteiner Teens World and a small amphitheater where evening entertainment takes place. You can keep very busy with the sports and recreational facilities on offer; try your hand at snorkeling, scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, tennis, and more.
There’s also a Soccer School, you can take a boat trip, a cookery class and play golf nearby! And of all this gets too much, escape for some much-needed pampering to the 750m² Acquapura SPA while the family is in good hands.
For accommodation, choose from 122 guest rooms: family rooms, suites, family suites, and villas. All are ensuite with either a balcony or terrace and either a park or sea view. The newly opened, ultra-exclusive, 4-bed, 4-bath Villa Bellavista is achingly chic with its own stunning panoramic infinity pool it enjoys direct access to the beach, a vast terrace with devastating views, and butler service.
There’s something for every time of day when it comes to dining; enjoy the pool or beach bar by day (don’t miss the BBQs on the beach!), savor the fresh, Sardinian cuisine, pizza, and seafood in one of the restaurants for dinner and head to the club lounge for a chilled-out evening cocktail, great tunes and partying.
6. JW Marriott Venice
JW Marriott Venice is the exclusive inhabitant of the small Venetian island of Isola delle Rosa, one of the largest islands in the Venetian lagoon and the youngest.
Isola Delle Rosa is perched on the edge of Venice but only 15 minutes from the center, with extremely regular and comfortable shuttles that whizz you right past the Cipriani and onto St Marks Square. This lush green island houses easily the best Marriott I have ever stayed in.
The main building sits in the center of the island and is home to most of the rooms, as well as the rooftop bar and pool. Outside, the entire island is yours to explore. Take a wander along meandering paths past groves of olive trees and fields of poppies, and you’ll reach outbuildings, which include some of the higher-end rooms with their own private pools. Continue on to a church, herb garden, family pool, the Dopolavro Dining room, and the Gardino Grill, all set in a pretty garden. The Spa here is also immense and offers the same superb views across the water.
The rooftop infinity pool, located just beyond a rooftop bar and restaurant area, seems to tick all the boxes, except for the fact it is incredibly shallow. The kids were loving it, as even my four year old could touch the bottom, but my only effort at a length was abruptly terminated by smashing both my knees on the bottom.
There is another outdoor “family” pool hidden away in the greenery of the Island, which is a bit of a trek in your dressing gown but offers the option of swimming, along with some more extremely comfy loungers and just across from a young kids playpark.
This is the kind of resort where your family can enjoy lazy days by the pool or kicking a football about on the lawns, where you can enjoy a perfect day without feeling the need to pop over to Venice!
7. Locanda al Colle
A haven of tranquillity in an idyllic location in the Tuscan hills, the luxury boutique hotel Locanda al Colle is small and intimate with a real family feel.
It is so off the beaten track that you cannot fail to relax amid the olive trees and fragrant plants that fill the grounds, while the views over the beautiful landscape of Camaiore leading down to the sea will soothe your soul.
Yet despite all its peacefulness, the hotel is still only an hour’s drive from Florence, 30 minutes from Lucca, and 10 minutes from the nearest beach. It’s also only a 30-minute drive from Pisa Airport. When it comes to making your travel plans, British Airways offers flights to Pisa from both Gatwick and Heathrow, while EasyJet also flies out of Gatwick.
Locanda al Colle makes its home in a tastefully converted Tuscan farmhouse. The décor is modern and luxurious, yet in keeping with the rustic setting through the use of earth tones and a certain understated simplicity in design. Vintage and contemporary artworks add character to this twelve-room guesthouse, while the warm, friendly atmosphere created by owner Ricardo and his small team makes staying at this place feel more like a holiday in a friend’s villa than the usual hotel break.
Features in some of the rooms include a separate bathtub and shower, four-poster beds, and fireplaces. Rooms on the ground floor have private outside space, and each floor has a cozy reception room where guests can meet and mingle or simply curl up with a good book. The first floor also boasts a kitchen and dining area and is perfect for the whole family. During the offseason, it’s possible to book the entire floor (also comprising two superior double rooms and one suite).
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and all rooms benefit from an iPod dock, Erbario Toscano bath products, and a gourmet minibar with Skinny Champagne, Amedei chocolate, and free bottled water. Room Tips – Go for the ground floor if you want your own little garden or terrace, ideal for your family to run about in the sunshine, or higher up if you prefer spectacular views. All the rooms are excellent; it really just depends on your preference.
In addition to the hotel’s own beautiful garden, heated outdoor pool, and sunbathing area, guests can take full advantage of a complimentary gazebo complete with beach towels at the nearby private beach club Bagno Cavallone, perfect for your family. A whole host of other family-friendly activities can be arranged, including bike hire, visits to the beautiful walled city of Lucca, or shopping in the boutiques in Forte Dei Marmi.
For a warm welcome, peace, and tranquillity, and a beautiful family vacation in a Tuscan location, Locanda al Colle is a must.
8. Borgo Pignano, Tuscany
A Tuscan paradise awaits at the stunning Borgo Pignano; a magnificent 18th-century villa, with beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounded by a cherished 750-acre organic estate. Romantic, divine, and majestic; exactly what the best of Italy should be.
The villa is set in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, a short drive from the historic hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano and within easy reach of the medieval cities of Florence and Siena and the vineyards of Chianti. Direct flights from London to Pisa (British Airways fly the route, among others) only take a little over 2 hours, and the villa is just an hour, very scenic, drive from Pisa.
The villa is perfect for your family to use as a base to tour this area of Italy; the wonderful city of Florence is an hour and a quarter away, Siena just 40 minutes and you’re only an hour from the coast.
The privately owned villa is beautifully restored. It is enchanting inside; traditional but luxurious. Original architectural details are evident throughout; vaulted ceilings, sash windows, frescoes, and antique furnishings sit perfectly amongst an impressive art collection. With the mesmerizing views across the Tuscan hills and out to the Mediterranean, it’s hard to imagine a more tranquil setting.
Outside, the stunning infinity pool with its staggering views is the place to soak up the sun, and the terrace surrounding it begs you to slow up, enjoy a glass of something chilled (there’s an outdoor bar right next to the pool), and totally relax. There is also a fabulous spa and wellness area and a small gym with essential fitness equipment. For other more active pursuits for your family, try yoga, horseback riding, trekking, and mountain biking is available on the estate itself, as well as painting classes and cooking classes. Wi-Fi is also available throughout the estate.
There are just sixteen elegant rooms and suites in this intimate setting. All offer stunning views of olive groves, vineyards, fields, and woods.
Villa Pignano is a delicious fine dining, gourmet restaurant on the estate itself which prides itself on using ingredients from the estate and local organic farms. For a more relaxed setting, Trattoria Al Fresco is based in the beautiful gardens, and here you can enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine suitable for all the family.
9. Castello di Potentino
If your family wants to live in a fairytale setting, look no further than Castello di Potentino. With views across to the dormant volcano of Monte Amiata, hillsides scattered with olive trees, fresh air, and oodles of sunshine, there is everything to like about staying at Potentino Castle in Tuscany.
It is like being invited into a private home, with activities such as wine tasting, walks, and expeditions set up by your hosts.
This family-run estate offers views over the undulating countryside and is steeped in history, dating back to the 14th Century. In fact, the first document to mention the Castello di Potentino was dated 1042.
The original foundations are probably Etruscan, and over the centuries, the property passed through the hands of many well-known Tuscan families of noble descent. More recently, it was purchased and restored by the Greene family, who have given new life to the ancient traditions of the building.
The nearest airports to the castle are Pisa (2hrs 15 minutes), Florence Peretola (2hrs 30 minutes), and Rome Fiumicino (3hrs). From the airport, you drive through the Tuscan countryside to eventually reach the wrought iron gates and drive up to this grand and ancient castle.
Choose between just eight historic but sympathetically refurbished rooms packed with character, beams, and luxury soft furnishings. Castello di Potentino is much more than a bed for the night, you are temporarily living in a regal and beautiful castle (Castello) in Tuscany.
If you book into a course, evening meals are often arranged and included, and events are arranged, such as barbecues on an open fire in one of the courtyards of the castle. Even if you are not on a course, there is often the option of sharing meals with the Greene-Horton extended family in the dining hall and in their rustic kitchen.
If you prefer to do your own thing, Charlotte and Alexander love eating and can usually recommend a good restaurant, perfect for your family, wherever you plan to go.
Charlotte Horton’s South Tuscan castle is tucked away in a secret valley and is very definitely off the beaten track. This hidden gem is, however, not just a holiday destination. It is also a working winery producing sophisticated wines and distinctive olive oil. Take a trip to this magical castle, pack light, and stock up with enough wine and olive oil to last you for the rest of the year.
10. Four Seasons Milan
There is only one family hotel to choose if you want to stay in the center of Milan, and this is the Four Seasons Milan.
As outlined above, Four Seasons hotels always excel when catering to families. Kids are welcomed and treated as well as adults. If you have a family and have not tried a Four Seasons branded hotel, you really are missing out.
Housed in a 15th-century reborn convent, Four Seasons Hotel Milano is a timeless sanctuary in the heart of Milan’s Fashion District, steps away from La Scala, the Duomo, and world-leading couture houses.
Each room and suite is individual, blending historic details with timeless Italian design, and offers views over the property’s cloistered garden, the quiet street of Via Gesù, or private gardens.
La Veranda restaurant occupies a wide conservatory area, and “al fresco” dining is an exciting option from spring to autumn in the courtyard. The Spa offers signature treatments using the finest skincare products, as well as an indoor swimming pool, a Spa Suite, a 24-hour Fitness Centre, and more.
Families of every age range are welcomed at this Four Seasons hotel. Whether it’s special children’s amenities like bedtime milk and cookies or planning the perfect family reunion, we’ll help make every moment unforgettable.
Cribs, infant toiletries, bottle warmers, high chairs, and more are all available at no extra charge. Qualified babysitters are available with a few hours notice and an hourly fee. Ask for details.
Built in 1368, Castello Sforzesco thrills young visitors with prehistoric artifacts, Egyptian relics, and an impressive moat. Michelangelo’s last sculpture, “Pietà Rondanini” is there. Sforzinda is a special children’s area.
How about a great family hotel in Rome? Well, there’s no Four Seasons in Rome, and Four Seasons hotels are almost always the best family hotels in the center of cities (and beyond). Instead, I would pick the Rome Cavalieri as it has one of the largest and nicest pools of any luxury hotel in Rome, perfect for the whole family!
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